New North Tipperary Development Company launched

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john.ocallaghan

Wednesday 28 November 2018 17:18

AFTER almost a decade of providing invaluable support for a myriad of local organisations, groups and communities, the North Tipperary LEADER Partnership company has rebranded ahead of its tenth birthday and chose Roscrea as a location to launch the new North Tipperary Development Company.

However, the event was much more than just a rebranding – and pleasantly served as a reaffirmation of the impressive level of commitment the company provides to such a wide variety of groups and a moment to stop and reflect on the work that has been done to date.

Launching the new rebranded company was Tipperary hurling manager Liam Sheedy, who was flanked by the CEO of Tipperary County Council, Joe McGrath, CEO of the new company Michael Murray and Chairman of the new North Tipperary Development Company (NTDC), Jim Finn.

Welcoming the large attendance to the Racket Hall for the event, Michael Murray explained how North Tipperary Development Company operates within the Nenagh and Templemore Thurles Municipal District Areas.

The company’s genesis stretches back to January 1, 2009, when North Tipperary LEADER Partnership Company (NTLP) was formed and became an amalgamation of the programmes and activities of Roscrea 2000 Ltd, Nenagh Community Network, Tipperary LEADER Group and Thurles Action Community Development - which was called for at the time by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA).

On November 22, 2018, through a rebranding process the company was renamed North Tipperary Development Company (NTDC) to reflect its overall work as a development company and Mr Murray said that what distinguishes the company is its approach, which he described as a bottom-up, community-led and close to the point of delivery.

This goes right across the programmes and individuals and communities will always get the same approach from the NTDC’s dedicated staff and volunteers, who provide a nurturing helping hand to people and communities to enhance their quality of life through a range of supports including rural enterprise, social inclusion, economic development, employment, energy and community development.

NTDC Chairman, Jim Finn told the large attendance that the new Company is an exciting development for the North of the county and was joined in his address by Claire Ryan, Assistant CEO; David Kyne, TÚS/RSS Co-ordinating Supervisor; and company Secretary Nancy White, who was MC for the event.

In his address, CEO of Tipperary County Council, Joe McGrath, described the launch of the new company as “a new dawn” and said the rebranding was more that “a symbolic gesture.”

Much of the real work is done quietly and in the background and Tipperary County Council and the new North Tipperary Development Company share a focus and aim. Our staff work side by side on numerous projects that are aimed at the inclusive development of the county.

“The economy is thankfully starting to go in the right direction, but not all ships rise at the same time and providing support is a key part of what we do,” Mr McGrath said.

In his address as keynote speaker, Portroe native and manager of the Tipperary senior hurling team, Liam Sheedy congratulated the staff and management of the new North Tipperary Development Company and said he has seen the work of the former NTLP in “all corners of the region.”

“A lot of the work the NTDC will do are about people overcoming tough times and the one thing that will always help is the power of the community. The greatest unsung hero in our community is the volunteer and the lesson for us all is that if you give to your community, you get it back in spades,” Mr Sheedy said.

“Community is something we should never take for granted,” he stressed.

Closing his address Mr Sheedy reflected on his role with Bank of Ireland which sees him responsible for 73 branches across Munster and recalled when Roscrea was chosen as one of the first locations to host the Enterprise Town event.

“Over 120 businesses came out for that event and it was testament to the level of work and enterprise taking place in this community,” he said.

“The work that NTDC will do is not as well known and easy to see as some other groups, but the level of support is incredible and the list of people who benefit is endless,” Mr Sheedy said.